Police seize suspected drugs and handgun after executing search warrants

February 26, 2025

Seven people — five from the Greater Toronto Area — after police executed search warrants that resulted in the seizure of suspected drugs and a handgun.

Thunder Bay Police Service Intelligence Unit officers executed warrants at a residence on Windsor Street and at a residence on Picton Avenue on the evening of Tuesday, February 26. The warrants had been obtained as a result of an investigation into suspected drug trafficking activity.

 

Searches of both residences resulted in the seizures of suspected cocaine and fentanyl, along with cash and paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking. A handgun was seized from one of the locations.

 

A total of seven individuals were arrested and taken into custody.

 

Jante Richard EXCELL, 24, of North York; Vernon Joseph MOONIAS, 53, of Thunder Bay; Richard SMART-CURTIS, 28, of North York; Keyshon THOMAS-MORRIS, 22, of North York, are charged with the following:

•             Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)

•             Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)

•             Possession of Proceeds of Crime under $5,000

•             Careless Storage of a Firearm

•             Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm

•             Knowledge of Possession of Unauthorized Firearm

 

THOMAS-MORRIS is also charged with Breach of Release Order and Breach of Undertaking.

 

Moses MERCHANT, 19, of North York; Jahdai TAPPER, 19, of Toronto; and Vanessa Celeste UCHACZ, 44, of Thunder Bay, are charged with the following:

•             Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Cocaine)

•             Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (Fentanyl)

•             Possession of Proceeds of Crime under $5,000

 

UCHACZ is also charged with Breach of Release Order.

 

The accused appeared in court on Wednesday and all have been remanded into custody with future appearance dates.

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